TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2016 SPORTS Leicester, Mahrez gaining fan base in native Algeria : shirts are flying 7,000 dinars (60 Euros, $65.35), which is off the shelves of sports shops in Algiers 40% of the national monthly minimum as the Algerian winger continues to wage. There are counterfeit shirts avail- impress for leaders able at seven times cheaper though, sold Leicester City. The form of the 25-year- illegally in the heart of the Casbah old, who has 14 league goals and 10 citadel. assists this season, has led to calls for him “Thank god, Mahrez, it’s just crazy,” to win the PFA Player of the Year award rejoiced a young salesman about the rise and elevated him to god-like status in his of the child born in the suburbs of Paris, home country, where many have but who was snubbed by both France become Leicester fans. and Marseille. Annis, a 23-year-old stu- The 2015 Algerian Player of the Year dent, spoke of a “resentment towards bi- has scored four goals in 22 international national French-Algerians from the older appearances, and is held in higher regard generation.” “He confuses with his drib- by fans than World Cup stars Yacine bles, has an excellent pass, and under- Brahimi and Sofiane Feghouli. “Before stands the game,” added Annis, who has Mahrez, Leicester were unknown in not missed a single one of his matches, Algeria where Liverpool was the most and can recall all of his tricks and goals. popular club,” said Samir Lamari, of sports daily Liberte. From zero to hero “Now it is the most popular club in the Things have not always been easy in country, supported by more than five Algeria for former Le Havre player million people, with the Premier League Mahrez, who had caught the eye of watched more than the local . “A Bosnian coach Vahid Halihodzic before the Brazil World Cup. Dropped after the opening defeat to Belgium, Mahrez did not play again in the 2014 tournament as Algeria bowed out to eventual winners Germany in the last 16. “It was even alleged that Mahrez paid me to take him to the World Cup,” claimed former national coach Halihodzic. But those days are in stark contrast to his current situation, as Mahrez’s stunning form in England has LEICESTER: Leicester City’s English striker (right) vies with Norwich City’s German defender Timm Klose during the English Premier helped him settle into the Algeria side League football match between Leicester City and Norwich City at King Power Stadium. —AFP under new manager . Algerians also appreciate the humility of their prodigy, who often visits his Ranieri rolls dice again as hometown of Beni Snous near the Moroccan border. “I love my country, I love the people of my country and I always say that when I come here,” Leicester face West Brom Mahrez said during his last trip home in June. It was here that his father was LEICESTER: Leicester City face the next test in from my side and Saturday was good. “When ness and the stamina is OK.” West Brom will buried in 2006, a moment that the player their extraordinary Premier League title chal- you change and the change finds the solution, also be forced into at least one change after Riyad Mahrez regards as a turning point for both his life lenge with manager Claudio Ranieri prepared it is fantastic.” Ranieri is likely to be forced into Chris Brunt suffered a knee injury in their 3-2 Leicester match is an event which per- and career at the age of 15. “The death of to take more risks in search of victory over a change to his starting line-up against West home win against Crystal Palace. mits people to meet”, even at work or on my father may have been when it all West Bromwich Albion. Ranieri’s boldness was Brom after N’Golo Kante, one of the stars of The left-back, who is awaiting news from a a Sunday, while children skip school to started. I don’t know if I started to get rewarded on Saturday as his substitutions Leicester’s season, suffered a hamstring injury scan amid fears of cruciate ligament damage, watch him play. In a country where foot- more serious then, but after his death, paid off with a late 1-0 win against Norwich against Norwich. is expected to be replaced by James Chester. ball is revered, Mahrez is considered a things began to turn,” he told the City. Andy King is the Frenchman’s likely replace- Saido Berahino is set to start again after And the Italian is ready to take the bull by ment after figuring as a substitute on demonstrating his return to form with a fine deity. Guardian earlier this season. If he can the horns again today as Leicester look to Saturday, while right-back Danny Simpson is goal and an impressive performance against “We ordered shirts four days ago, but continue to replicate his Foxes form with claim a second home win in four days and available again after serving a one-match sus- Palace just 24 hours after he apologized for his they have still not arrived,” said an impa- the Desert Foxes, then Mahrez’s stock in extend their fairytale season. Leicester pension. The right-back could return at the threat to go on strike last year. tient seller who sells Mahrez jerseys for Algeria is only going to rise more. — AFP answered another major question about their expense of January signing Daniel Amartey, Captain Darren Fletcher said: “He’s never title credentials on Saturday when they who made his debut against Norwich. been a problem in the dressing room, or any- demonstrated their patience and nerve to thing like that. “But he’ll feel he could’ve been Wenger challenges Arsenal to score in the 89th minute through Leonardo Berahino ‘hungry’ fitter at the start of the season. There’s no Ulloa after being frustrated by Norwich. “Kante felt something in his hamstring and doubt about that. “It’s difficult to play Premier rebound from United setback Success came after Ranieri threw caution to we managed him during the training sessions,” League games when you’re not on top of your the wind by sacrificing a defender to deploy a said Ranieri. “I think it is nothing serious and I fitness levels. “But he’s got them back and he’s MANCHESTER: Arsene Wenger challenged a goal back before the interval but Ander 3-5-2 system late on. “I take a lot of risks,” said hope he is not out for so long. I hope Kante is back in the team. He’s got his head down and Arsenal to respond in this week’s crucial fix- Herrera’s 64th-minute shot was deflected in Ranieri, whose side goes into the game two ready. I don’t know about the next match, but he’s hungry to score goals and do well. “It’s tures after watching his team waste a glori- by Laurent Koscielny and Mesut Ozil’s goal, points clear of second-place Tottenham maybe next Saturday. “I hope he is ready good to see him fit and showing what a good ous opportunity to close the gap at the top five minutes later, was not enough to res- Hotspur at the summit. “One point is nothing- because he is an important player. But King player he is. He’s a talented player and you of the Premier League in Sunday’s 3-2 loss cue a point. we had to win. If you lose, it is just one point replaced him very, very well.” want to see people like that do well for West at Manchester United. “No of course not,” said van Gaal when less. “We took the risk and the manager is The Italian added: “This win gives us confi- Brom, and go on and do well if that’s the case. Arsenal, seeking their first league title in asked if he expected such an impact from hired for this reason, to take a risk. dence going into a tough derby. If you score “He’s hungry to do well now for us between 12 years, were bidding to stay within two the 18-year-old Rashford. “I could imagine I enjoy it when there is something to do at the end of the match, that means the fit- now and the end of the season.” — AFP points of surprise leaders Leicester City the first game he did that because he is a ahead of a home fixture against Swansea striker coming in to score goals and the tomorrow and a crucial visit to Tottenham first match is always good. The second looming on Saturday. But the loss at Old match he has to do what the manager is Pochettino serene with Trafford, against an under-strength United willing him to do and he did it fantastically. side that enjoyed another stunning two- His performance was better than the first goal display from teenage forward Marcus match. Rashford, has left serious question marks “He did everything I asked of him. He title realities dawning over Arsenal’s ability to capture the title. scored two again, four goals in two match- “We have lost three points,” said Wenger. es, and that’s an average that is unusual! “You have to show you are up for the fight When you have the chance, you have to LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur manager We have to play (for) another 36 points, so we sign of the depth in his squad. and give absolutely everything in our next perform and do the things we’re asking Mauricio Pochettino said that the balm of victo- are not going to give up. “When one man scores a goal, all of Leicester game. Things can change quickly, but only and I’ve always said, it’s not a matter of age, ry would help his hobbling players prepare for “We made a huge step the other day in the City Football Club are happy,” said the Italian. if you keep going, keep believing. “We are it’s a matter of quality and he showed it.” tomorrow’s Premier League clash with London Champions League (winning 3-1 at Dynamo “Everyone would like to play, but it’s not possi- in a fight where we can show we have great Rashford was just one of five United rivals West Ham United. Kiev), but winning this title will continue giving ble. They believe in the project and they believe character, great mentality and respond players to make their debuts in a week Harry Kane wore a face mask to protect a bro- us a lot of trust to work.” United, now three their team-mates are playing well. tomorrow (against Swansea). That’s what which saw United beat Shrewsbury in the ken nose against Swansea City on Sunday and points below the Champions League berths, “For me it’s important to believe in them we have to do. FA Cup, Midtjylland and then Arsenal. “It is Dele Alli injured his foot in the warm-up, but having played a game more than fourth-place because, when I need some changes, they are “Let’s not go overboard. They had still a the culture of Manchester United, that is both players finished the match with smiles on City, host Watford tomorrow. ready.” Champions Chelsea, meanwhile, will look few millions on the pitch from (David) de why they take me as a manager and now it their faces as Spurs came from behind to win 2- Leicester continue to make a mockery of pre- to continue their recent upsurge in form when Gea to the midfield. They spent a lot on is of course crazy all the injuries we have, 1. Coupled with Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat at dictions that their title challenge is bound to col- they visit relegation-threatened Norwich. “Every (Memphis) Depay, he is not a player from today 12 injured players,” said van Gaal. “So Manchester United, it enabled Pochettino’s men lapse and can reassert their five-point advantage time when we relax, even for a few seconds, we the academy. “The player who was surpris- now it is a little bit overdone, I think, but to reclaim second place and close to within two on Tuesday when they host West Bromwich lose points, so we have to go step by step,” ing for me talent-wise was Rashford, the you see youngsters always give spirit to the points of leaders Leicester City. Albion. They almost squandered a chance to put warned Branislav Ivanovic, who scored Chelsea’s timing and intelligence of his movement team. I have a lot of experience with that After visiting sixth-place West Ham, Spurs pressure on their rivals on Saturday, when it took late winner at Southampton on Saturday. “We was great. He could be a very positive sur- and that is also a very important aspect of face a showdown with north London rivals an 89th-minute goal from substitute Leonardo have in three days another game and we have to prise for Man United. “We struggled to be my philosophy.” Arsenal, but despite their walking wounded, Ulloa to see off Norwich City, but manager be very careful because it is another away game dangerous because they defended very Impressive as the other debutants - Pochettino said: “It’s easier to prepare for the Claudio Ranieri took the manner of victory as a against a difficult opponent.” —AFP well and I will analyze the game again to defenders Joe Riley and Tim Fosu-Mensah West Ham game after this victory. “They (the see why. But of course there is time to pull and midfielders Regan Poole and James players) are happy, they smile, it is always a bet- the points back. It is still possible but the Weir - may have been, Rashford is the play- ter mood to recover. “It is an exciting moment answer will have to come quick and er who has guaranteed a place in United for us, but some players we need to manage strong.” folklore. “It’s just crazy,” said Rashford. “It because some players feel a little bit tired. We was a shock playing in midweek because came from a very tough period.” Rashford rocks Gunners (Anthony) Martial was meant to be starting While Spurs look to establish themselves as Rashford scored twice, within the space and that benefitted me because I wasn’t Leicester’s main challengers, third-place Arsenal of three first-half minutes, for Louis van thinking about the game too much. “But find themselves five points behind the leaders Gaal’s side following his two-goal display in this is crazy, I can’t explain it, when you’re ahead of their home game with Swansea. the midweek Europa League victory over out there - the rush of blood, everything. Arsenal could not take advantage of an injury- Denmark’s FC Midtjylland. Former United Having players like Michael Carrick helping ravaged United team at Old Trafford, where 18- forward Danny Welbeck, starting a league us with their experience, we can only go year-old striker Marcus Rashford scored twice for game for the first time in 11 months, pulled forward.” —AFP the hosts and set up Ander Herrera for what proved to be the decisive goal, and manager Arsene Wenger conceded it had been a weighty blow. “We dropped three important points, but we have to show we are up for the fight and bounce back tomorrow night,” said the Frenchman. “We have to not feel sorry for our- selves. Mathematically, what it means, we will only know at the end of the season.” Manchester City’s title hopes looked to have been fatally undermined by consecutive losses to Leicester and Spurs, but although they lie nine points off the pace-albeit with a game in hand-confidence has been bolstered by Sunday’s League Cup triumph over Liverpool. League Cup success proved the catalyst for a late surge to title glory in 2014 and ahead of tomor- row’s speedy reunion with Liverpool at Anfield, manager Manuel Pellegrini is hoping that light- ning will strike twice.

Ivanovic warning “It’s important to continue trusting what we are doing,” said the Chilean, whose side pre- LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur’s Belgian midfielder Nacer Chadli (left) celebrates with MANCHESTER: Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger (2R) leads off his team at vailed 3-1 on penalties at Wembley after the Tottenham Hotspur’s English striker Harry Kane after scoring their first goal during the English the end of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United game finished 1-1 at the end of extra time. “We Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at White Hart and Arsenal at Old Trafford . — AFP continue (being) involved in the Premier League. Lane. —AFP